It has been looming around for a while now, but the Atlanta Falcons have finally exercised the fifth-year option of all-pro wide receiver Julio Jones. He will make $10.170 million in 2015.

Jones is apart of what was recently rated as the the number two wide receiver duo in the NFL, along with veteran Roddy White.

"I do know this. Julio Jones is going to be an Atlanta Falcon for a long, long time," Falcons head coach Mike Smith said.

Even with the injury, Jones posted some jaw-dropping stats. He caught 41 passes for 580 receiving yards and with two touchdowns. All of which were in six games.

Although it is certain to happen, head coach Mike Smith, general manager Thomas Dimitroff, and the rest of the Falcons front office are not willing to talk about the contract yet as of right now.

"Again, I'm not going to talk about specific contractual situations," Smith said. "I do know this, Julio Jones is going to be an Atlanta Falcons for a long, long time."

The main focus right now is getting Jones healthy for the season opener against the division rival New Orleans Saints.

"Our focus with Julio is one thing and that's having him prepared for our opener, which I'm sure we'll get the date in the next couple of days. I believe the schedule will be coming out in the next couple of days. But that's what our focus is."

The four-year pro out of the University of Alabama was hit with the injury bug, which heavily impacted his team's chances to make the playoff/Super Bowl run they were hoping for. It was a door injury that took place during week six in a heartbreaking loss to the New York Jets...it sidelined him for the rest of the season

"He's progressing well. We're not going to do anything to hinder his time-frame in terms of getting back to work with us."

After a win in game five, the Atlanta Hawks are one victory away from making their first second round (playoffs) appearance since the 2010-11 season when they defeated the Orlando Magic (4-2) and lost to the Chicago Bulls (2-4).

The leading scorers for Atlanta were Paul Millsap (18), Kyle Korver (16), Jeff Teague (12), DeMarre Carroll (15), Mike Scott (17), and Shelvin Mack (20). The bench was huge for the Hawks as they outscored the opposing Pacers bench 34-2 in the first half of the game. Scott and Mack were leading that charge with a combined 37 points, seven three-pointers made (five of which were from Scott), six assists, six rebounds and two steals.

"We know we can play with this team," Scott said. "We know they're a great team, especially at home with great players and a great coach. But we believe in ourselves. (Shelvin) Mack made some shots. Kyle (Korver) made some shots and I made some shots and we were able to play with great pace in that second quarter. It's the same game plan we've been using all year. Spread them out and run the pick-and-roll game or the pick-and-pop game. And they were worried about Mack and I was able to get loose for some good looks. And then they were just heat checks shots."

If the Pacers want to rebound and somehow win the series (which would have to be in seven games), it is critical that they can limit the Hawks' three-point shooting. In game five, Atlanta put up 27 three-pointers...15 of which were good (56%).

"When you have more than one shooter on the floor at one time (the defense) can't just focus on one person," said Korver. "You have to keep running everybody off the line. So we had a lot of shooting out there and a lot of guys making shots. Shelvin (Mack) was driving the basket. Jeff (Teague) was driving the basket. It creates a lot of scenarios for the defense."

Defensively the Hawks have been solid, they don't have much to work on. The Pacers, on the other hand, need to calm down their personal fouling. Indiana has been in foul trouble in just about the entirety of every game in this first round playoff series.

"If we keep playing together, keep trusting each other defensively and let that carry over to the offensive end of the court, that is what we're working on," head coach Mike Budenholzer said. "That is what we are looking to stay together defensively, looking to stay together offensively."

With their performance, the 2013-14 Atlanta Hawks can join the 1970 Milwaukee Bucks as the only road teams in the shot-clock era to score at least 40 points in a quarter and give up fewer than 19.

The Hawks now have a chance to take the entire series with a win Wednesday night in Atlanta.

"We can play with this team," Scott said. "They're a great team, especially at home, great players, great coach, but we have a belief in ourselves as well."

It is no secret that the Atlanta Falcons will be targeting former South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney in the upcoming NFL draft. Trading up seems like the only way the Falcons will be able to get their hands on him though. general manager Thomas Dimitroff and the rest of the front office are no strangers to doing so.

Although many people are questioning his work ethic from a season ago, which many teams (including the Falcons) will factor into the decision on whether they should trade up or not, he is without a doubt a once-in-a generation player.

"Obviously, he is an incredible talent with wild upside," Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. "He's going to be a very big contributor on a football team from day one. We all know that. The league knows that. He has the potential to be one of the marquee-type pass-rushers."

Clowney says that he wouldn't mind if the Falcons traded up and selected him, in fact he wants to be playing in Atlanta next season.

"I wish they could trade up for me," Clowney told ESPN.com. "I hope I don't fall to No. 6. I like Atlanta -- a lot. They're pretty good. They've got some guys from South Carolina on the team, also. And it's close to home."

The Falcons recently had Clowney come in for his second workout for Atlanta.

"It doesn't offend me because I know JD, and I know all this talk about JD being lazy and all this talk about him not playing hard, I know all that is motivating him," Ward told ESPN.com in reference to Clowney. "And I know JD because I coached the kid and I recruited him, and that's not who he is. JD plays hard all the time."

"Anytime you're as highly regarded as JD is, most people are going to try to find out something that's wrong with you. And that's what the NFL's job is: They're going to try and bring his grade down because it's about paying him. I understand it. I coached in the league [as an Oakland assistant in 2006]. I know how it works."

Even if the Hendrick award (ESPY award given to the best defensive end in Division I college football) winner has a work ethic issue, it CAN be fixed. Some notable examples of that would be Michael Vick (who has played for the Falcons), Dez Bryant etc.

"I think I work just as hard as anybody," Clowney told The Associated Press. "If you pick me and pair me with guys, I'm going to try and outwork them also."

The 2014-15 NFL Regular Season is over 130 full-days , but in the meantime the Falcons now know who they'll be playing (and when) once the season gets here as the schedule was recently announced Wednesday night.

"I believe (playing early) is a new thing for the NFL: breakfast with the Falcons," Falcons coach Mike Smith said when speaking about the Falcons hosting the season opener. "Everybody gets an opportunity to eat breakfast. If they want to do their tailgating, they need to stay up all night."

We may never know how good former NFL running back Heschel Walker could have been. After winning the heisman in 1982 (with the Georgia Bulldogs), Walker signed a contract with the USFL (United States Football League). He played for the New Jersey Generals from 1983 to 1985 until he elected to apply for the 1985 NFL draft. He was selected in the fifth round (114th pick overall) by the Dallas Cowboys, where he made two NFL Pro Bowls.

After Tony Dorsett was traded to the Denver Broncos in 1988, Walker posted his best numbers as a pro rushing for 1,514 yards with five touchdowns and receiving for 505 yards while scoring two touchdowns. His combined stats were 2,019 yards gained from scrimmage and seven touchdowns. He also played seven positions: halfback, fullback, tight end, H-back, wide receiver, both in the slot, and as a flanker.

Unfortunately, Walker is most-known in the NFL as the key-piece to the largest player trade in National Football League history including 18 players and draft picks.

Man people will tell you that Walker then went into a long-lasting slump, for the rest of his career, after being dealt to the Minnesota Vikings, but I don't know if that is completely true. Even though he only had one more season with over 1,000 rushing yards (1992), Walker posted over that mark in total yardage six more times (1989-1994).

"Without a doubt in my mind, I should be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame," Walker said. "You look at my stats without my USFL stats, and I don't know how you can argue with that. Look at my combined yards. I'm not one to make excuses, so I'll play by their rules and not even count the USFL stats."

If you do 'count' his impressive USFL statistics he has the most total yards gained from the line of scrimmage in professional football history with 20,130 yards. With just his NFL stats he's posted 13,084 yards. Though he did not get the chances he thinks he should have had.

"I didn't get the opportunities to run the ball," Walker said. "People said, 'Herschel can't run out of a split backfield, Herschel can't do this.' But you've got to give opportunities to athletes."

When Aaron Harang agreed to terms with the Atlanta Braves during spring training, they had no idea what they were in for. Before he pitched in his Braves debut, Harang had a career ERA of 4.28, record of 110-116, and a winning percentage of .487. Now that the 12-year pro has pitched four games on his new ballclub, he has a season ERA of 0.70, record of 3-1, along with a 0.82 WHIP, while striking out 22 batters. I guess you can say he's made improvements.

"The biggest thing I bring is just having experience...and being able to watch guys and talk to them about situations I've been in if I see them in similar situations on the field," said Harang. "If they are out there and the game starts to speed up a little bit, maybe I can help them step back and slow the game down a little bit and stay under control and focus."

"You look at some of the guys who have phenomenal mechanics or supposed phenomenal mechanics and they end up blowing out. The biggest thing is learning myself and trying to maintain every season as it goes on while knowing my limitations when I do get out there. If they are out there and the game starts to speed up a little bit, maybe I can help them step back and slow the game down a little bit and stay under control and focus."

During a matchup against the New York Mets on Friday, Harang pitched seven full innings of no-hit ball before being taken out by Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez.

Reliever Luis Avilan then came in to pitch the eighth inning of the ballgame. With two outs, it was none other than Mets third baseman David Wright coming to the plate to possibly break up the no-hit bid...And that is exactly what happened. After wards the Braves went on to finish the game while pitching a one-hit shutout.

"His [stuff] was moving everywhere," Wright said. "He brought any pitch in any count -- throwing two-seamers, cutters, sliders, curveballs, changeups -- you name it, he was throwing it and felt comfortable in any count."

Even without the no-hitter staying intact, Harang pitched a gem (like he does just about every outing), and should be recognized for it.

The Atlanta Hawks might not have one of the most successful NBA franchises of all-time, but have had their share of basketball legends including Dominique Wilkens, Moses Malone, Bob Pettit, Lou Hudson, and Pete Maravich. Here is my Atlanta Hawks Dream Team.

* Center: Dikembe Mutombo

The greatest center to ever play for the Hawks was Moses Malone, but his tenure in Atlanta was short-lived, so instead I chose to pick Dikembe Mutombo. The four-time defensive player of the year is most known by younger audiences for his role in the GEICO commericals, but was also a force on the basketball court during his time in the NBA being selected to eight All-Star games (1992, 1995-1998, 2000-2002) and three NBA All-Defense First Teams (1995, 1997, 1998, 2001).

Bob Pettit is one of the more prestigious Hawks have all time as they were all he knew considering that he never played for any other team. Pettit was a two-time MVP, 11-time All-Star (10 of which were first-team), two-time NBA scoring champion (1956, 1959), four-time All-Star game MVP (1956, 1958-1959, 1962), and most importantly a champion.

Dominique Wilkens is without a question the greatest player to ever put on an Atlanta Hawks jersey and ran away with the number one small forward spot. The nine-time All-Star (1986-1994) is also arguably the most talented dunker in NBA history as he won two NBA dunk contests (1985, 1990) and was the runner-up in the greatest dunk contest ever (1988), losing to only Michael Jordan. An MVP award and championship ring seem to be the only hardware missing from Wilkens' trophy case.

This way by-far the hardest decision to make involving this list. In my eyes Lou Hudson and Pete Maravich are neck-and-neck and I had to let them share the top shooting guard spot on the list.

Lou Hudson was the 4th overall selection for a reason. He became a master of the jump shot while being selected to six NBA All-Star games. Hudson made just under 50% of his shots (7,392 shots).

Pete Maravich, also known as 'Pistol Pete,' played four years of his basketball career in Atlanta from (1970-74). When the NBA came out with its top 50 players list, Maravich was honored with a spot on there.

Along with Mutombo, Wilkens, and others, Mookie Blaylock was named a member (point guard) of the All-Hawks 90's team. A few of Blaylock's accomplishments including an NBA All-Star appearance (1994), two All-Defensive First Team selections (1994-1995), four All-Defensive Second Team selections (1995-1999), and lastly he was a two-time NBA steals leader (1997-1998).

With the regular season coming to an end, the Atlanta Hawks were able to scavenge a playoff spot (8th seed). The opponent with the the top seeded Indiana Pacers (1st seed), so that automatically eliminates homecourt throughout the entire postseason for the Hawks.

Many people across the NBA feel that the Hawks are the dark horse off this season's postseason, but Atlanta's head man Mike Budenholzer along with his team feel that they can beat any team that they have to face.

"It doesn't matter who we are playing," said Budenholzer, who did an admirable job in his first head coaching position after serving as a long-time assistant under San Antonio's Gregg Popovich. "We have high standards and we want to hold them up every night."

The player to watch for the Hawks has to be power forward Paul Millsap. After coming to Atlanta during the offseason, along with teammate DeMarre Carroll, to replace hometown hero Josh Smith, Millsap was selected to the NBA All-Star Game. Throughout the past 10 days Millsap has posted 19.9 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.4 steals, and a blocked shot per game, but he seems to be in a slump against the Pacers putting up 8.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and 1.0 blocked shots per game.

The Hawks had just about an April collapse losing six games in a row, but have since then rebounded winning seven of their last 10 games.

"We just wanted to end the season playing good basketball," said guard Kyle Korver, who took on a leadership role after Horford went down with a torn pectoral muscle the day after Christmas. "We feel like we are playing about as well as we have played all year for the most part."

There series has yet to begin and injuries are already having an affect. Both team's centers, Al Horford and Andrew Bynum, will sit out the first-round playoff matchup.

"Coach Frank Vogel said Thursday that he believes the Pacers’ oft-injured center (when speaking of Bynum) could still work his way back for the playoffs. But he won’t be available for the first round, which opens Saturday in Indianapolis," as reported by WISHTV.

The past week the Atlanta Braves have a record of 5-1. The entire team seems to be clicking and it couldn't be better timing.

Yesterday, the Braves were supposed to play another game in Philadelphia against the Phillies, but it was postponed and set back due to a rain-out. That is the only such delay/postponage this entire season, but it actually proved helpful to the Braves.

A few Braves have been taken days off while battling injuries and even sickness. They include third baseman Chris Johnson (off-day), shortstop Andrelton Simmons (wrist), and Evan Gattis (sickness). Most recent was Johnson who was ruled out of the lineup on Tuesday.

"He's just fighting himself a little bit right now," hitting coach Greg Walker said. "We're trying to get him to get the fight back between him and the pitcher."

Manager Gonzalez said, "He's fine. Just give him a couple of days."

Their most recent outing was a thriller. The Braves hammered five homers in a 9-6 win to improve to nine wins on the season. The players were went yard were Dan Uggla (2), Evan Gattis (2), and Andrelton Simmons (1). Uggla was able to win the game for the Braves with a go-ahead grand slam to lead 9-6.

"We have a lot of guys who can change the game with one swing," Uggla said. "Tonight we were able to put some at-bats together. Didn't have much going early on but we were able to get to them."

First baseman Freddie Freeman and left fielder Justin Upton seem to be getting hot at the right time. Both of whom have a batting average above .350. They are without a doubt the two hottest (for lack of a batter word) players on the Braves at the plate.

Justin was even named the National League Player of the Week for his performance the past seven days including a .591 batting average (13-for-22) with four homers, eight RBI, and eight runs scored over six games.

"Things have kind of been going my way the last few days," said Upton, who won the award after collecting four home runs and eight RBIs in the past four games and leading the majors in batting average (.591), on-base percentage (.654) and slugging percentage (1.227) in six games during the week that ended Sunday. "It's something to build on."

Walker said, "This year he's probably been more consistent."

So far Craig Kimbrel, who is arguably the best closer in all of baseball, has not blown a safe yet this year. Although he has recently been listed as day-to-day with a shoulder injury, fans shouldn't worry to much because it is not that severe.

"There's no reason to push it this early in the year," Kimbrel said. "It's something that doesn't really hinder me on the field. Being a pitcher, things get sore now and then. It's just a little uncomfortable. I'll take a few days off and be ready to go."

Teams in the National Football League are supposed to have a 'next-man up' mentality. If you do happen to get struck by injuries, you should have the resiliencey to bounce back. If there is ever a point though where injuries might be acceptable to use an excuse is the 2013-14 Atlanta Falcons.

Key players for the 'dirty birds' went down week after week. Most of the players hurt were starters and even backups that were thrusted into the starting role due to injuries suffered set-backs of their own.

Many Falcons fans will be rejoicing as those same competitors will be back healthy in 2014. They include wide recievers Julio Jones and Roddy White, defensive end Kroy Biermann (assuming that he survives the offseason cuts), running back Steven Jackson, linebacker Sean Weatherspoon, and offensive tackles Sam Baker and Mike Johnson.

Some of the important members of the team that were lost all or at any point of last year that will not be returning are fullback Bradie Ewing, cornerback Asante Samuel, linebacker Stephen Nicholas, and running back Jason Snelling.

So far the players are running ahead of schedule in their recovery process...

"He's doing a great job with (trainers) Marty (Lauzon) and AJ (Neibel)," Falcons coach Mike Smith told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution by phone on Wednesday while speaking about Julio Jones. "He's continuing to progress."

"Kroy has started his on the field work," Smith said of Kroy Biermann. "We're excited about his progress to this point. I don’t know if there's anybody that's worked harder than both of those guys. Mid-season and this offseason. Kroy and Julio have an opportunity to work during the season. They've been doing well. Kroy has been running on the field. When I say running, I mean he’s working on the field. So that’s a positive."

As players start to come back and the new year starts, Falcons fans should be very excited as they will have one of their best chances in years to end the championship drought that they've gone through since they were established back in 1966.